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The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is dedicated to helping students make attending Anderson University affordable by informing, counseling, and assisting you with finding financial aid in a timely and equitable manner.
Anderson University is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of its “Best Colleges” and is among the Wall Street Journal’s top 25 schools for “Best Student Engagement.” And when you consider that the overwhelming majority of AU students receive financial aid, it’s no surprise that U.S. News & World Report also named Anderson University a “Best Value” school among regional universities in the south.
But rankings only tell part of the story. That’s why we offer the Anderson University Financial Planning Guide. It’s our way to help provide knowledge for your journey as you plan for this special moment: your college career. Full of helpful articles; free resources; and other important tools, our guide will demystify the financial aid process and set you on the path to success.
Financial Planning Guide
One of our most popular guides helping students plan and succeed in their academic journey.
Key Financial Aid Terms
Financial aid is financial support that can help fund your degree at Anderson University. Types of financial aid includes scholarships, grants, and loans. Sources of financial aid include but are not limited to Anderson University, the State of South Carolina, the U.S. Department of Education, and outside sources.
Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is dedicated to helping students and their families make attending Anderson University affordable by informing, counseling and assisting students and parents with finding financial assistance in a timely and equitable manner. For the 2021-2022 award year, 100% of traditional students received financial aid with an average award for freshmen of $32,488 from all sources, making AU one of the most affordable, independent colleges or universities in South Carolina.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
Step 1: Create an FSA ID and Complete Your FAFSA
Create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) before starting a FAFSA on the web for the first time. You will use your FSA ID to sign your FAFSA each year. If you are considered a dependent student for federal financial aid purposes, your parent will also need to create an FSA ID to sign your FAFSA. Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online by March 1st each year. This application opens on October 1st each year. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when completing a FAFSA.
Step 2: Complete Outstanding Requirements
Complete and submit any outstanding forms and documents. Before aid can be applied to your account, you may be required to submit additional information to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. The documents you need to submit are listed in the Financial Aid section of the Finance tab in your Self-Service student portal. For the fall semester, the deadline to submit documents to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is July 19.
Step 3: Review and Apply for Federal Loans as Needed
Students who complete a FAFSA and are eligible for Federal Direct Student Loans made available by the Department of Education Direct Lending program must complete Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) online at https://studentaid.gov/ to borrow these loans. If you complete these steps and borrow federal loans, then you do not need to complete these steps again each year. To decline or cancel loans, email FinAid@AndersonUniversity.edu.
Step 4: Apply for Additional Sources of Financial Aid as Needed
Additional loan funding may be available in the form of Federal Direct PLUS Loans for Parents or Graduate/Professional students and Private Student Loans for students and parents. Information about other sources of funding like outside scholarships is available here.
Step 5: Monitor Your AU Accounts
Check your AU email account, phone, mail, and Self-Service portal regularly for updates from the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. Anderson Central will communicate with you about your bill.
Step 6 (Optional): Complete FERPA Form
Complete a FERPA Form each year after August 1st for the upcoming academic year. Your student record, including information about your financial aid, is confidential and will be not be shared with anyone but you unless you provide written permission via the FERPA form.
Scholarship resources are limited and the University reserves the right to place a cap on the number of scholarships offered or awarded at any time, or reduce or increase scholarships at its discretion. Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for AU students receiving full tuition and fee scholarship awards and AU student athletes receiving athletic aid.
Types of Financial Aid
Financial aid is financial support that can help fund your degree at Anderson University. Types of financial aid include scholarships, grants, and loans. Sources of financial aid include but are not limited to Anderson University, the State of South Carolina, the U.S. Department of Education, and outside sources.
Scholarships are funds that do not need to be repaid and are typically awarded based on grades, test scores, and other merit-based qualifications. Grants are also funds that do not need to be repaid and are typically awarded based on need. Loans are borrowed funds that need to be repaid. After you complete a FAFSA, you will receive an award notice showing the aid you may be eligible to receive.